MaggieBelle

Beloved–

I heard a young mother ask her 3-year-old, “do you understand me?”  He replied, “I understand.”  I wondered did he really comprehend or was he answering in the manner in which he had been taught.

The dictionary says to understand is to have knowledge or to comprehend.  The word tells us that God created the heavens and the earth through his knowledge and wisdom; and that we too, are to get wisdom and understanding, to actively search for it.  When we do understand who God is we will have peace of mind and heart even in the midst of chaos.

I pray for you daily that you will have peace of mind and heart.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

As a new Christian I decided to read the Bible through.  I took the number of chapters divided by 30 days and chose to read that many pages each day.  It took me 6 days to read chapter 119 in Psalms with its 179 verses.  It has become one of my favorite Psalms.  Following are excerpts from verses 75 to 100 that I use to pray God’s word back to him.

I know, O Lord, that your regulations are fair;  you disciplined me because I needed it.  Now let your unfailing love comfort me, just as you promised me, your servant.  Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live, for your instructions are my delight…Let me be united with all who fear you,  with those who know your laws… Your eternal word, O Lord,  stands firm in heaven.  Your faithfulness extends to every generation,  as enduring as the earth you created.  Your regulations remain true to this day,  for everything serves your plans.  If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery.  I will never forget your commandments,  for by them you give me life.  I am yours…Even perfection has its limits,  but your commands have no limit. Oh, how I love your instructions!  I think about them all day long.  Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide.

I pray for you daily that the Word will become your constant companion; that a day without it will feel empty.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

It’s Wednesday on Thursday!  I’ve spent the last 3 days preparing my house for the fumigators…we have termites!  It just part of living in Southern California but who would want to live anywhere else?  

When I thought about being homeless for the next 4 days it made me think about the Israelites.  What would it be like to be homeless like they were and yet unafraid.  Me, I get anxious when the newspapers and magazines are stacked together.  My moto is a place for everything and everything in its place.  I’m totally spoiled!  

Then I remember it is not about me and I need to keep my eyes on him and not on me.  I am blessed beyond measure because the Lord made me for his purposes.

Not to us, O Lord, not to us,  but to your name

goes all the glory for your unfailing love and

faithfulness.  All you who fear the Lord, trust

the Lord!  He is your helper and your shield.

He will bless those who fear the Lord,

both great and lowly. From Psalm 115

I pray daily for you and for me not to lose sight of the reason for our lives.    

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

I was overwhelmed with shame and gratitude as I heard the song sung by the worship team; the words struck my heart so deeply that it wiped away all my frustrations and petty complaints.  I keep hearing the words in my head frequently throughout the day reminding me that God is right beside me and he is always in control.

I have a maker

He formed my heart

Before even time began

My life was in His hands.

He knows my name

He knows my every thought

He sees each tear that falls

And he hears me when I call     

I have a Father he calls me his own

He’ll never leave me no matter where I go

I pray that you will recognize the truth of these words in your own life.  As I pray for you each day, I pray that your relationship with the Lord will grow stronger and heart encompassing.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

COME, LET US SING TO THE LORD!

LET US SHOUT JOYFULLY TO THE

ROCK OF OUR SALVATION.

THE LORD HAS REALLY RISEN!  *

*from Psalms & Luke

I pray for you daily that you KNOW that Jesus is alive!  He cares about what you care about, every detail.

Happy Easter!!!

Beloved–

How do I know what would have happened if I had been obedient?

Believer or not every human being was born with an innate sense of right and wrong.  As new believer I learned that I was to be in the world but not of the world.  Some relationships should not be entered into.  But like the non-compliant child who ignores the warnings and touches the hot stove; I chose to be disobedient.  I didn’t think I was sinning I was just having a bit of innocent fun that made me feel good.  I entrusted God with my soul but not with my heart’s desire.

As I continued to study the Word the warnings became deafening and 4 months into the “non” relationship, I ended it.  Much to my surprise my obedience caused me pain, for three days I kept asking God,”why me?”  I was actually blaming God for allowing me to make bad choices (the Adam blaming God, “its that woman you gave me” syndrome).  Again, temptation confronted my desire to be obedient and this time I failed to even hear the “shouted” warning and sinned.

Do you think you know what’s best for you to be happy…but there is no door nor window not even a pinhole of a possibility of light.  It took me three years to recognize my sin and confess it to God begging for his mercy.  It took another 20 years for me to learn, that I could bloom (find joy) no matter how difficult the situation.  I learned that God had my back, he knew my heart’s desire and that his timing was perfect.  I learned that when I am obedient and joyfully choose God’s heart’s desire for my own that’s where I will find my happiness.

I pray for you daily that you will hear and heed the warnings when they come; that you will feel his presence by reading his word and not despair because His timing is perfect!

Luv Ya!

Beloved—

O LORD, I give my life to you. I trust in you, my God!  Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.  No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,  but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.  Show me the right path, O LORD;  point out the road for me to follow.  Lead me by  your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Remember, O LORD, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past. Do not  remember the rebellious sins of my youth.  Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O LORD.  The LORD is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray.  He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.  The LORD leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.  For the honor of your name, O LORD, forgive my many, many sins.  Who are those who fear the LORD?  He will show them the path they should choose.  They will live in prosperity, and their children will inherit the land.  The LORD is a friend to those who fear him.  He teaches them his covenant.  My eyes are always on the LORD, for he rescues me.  Psalm 25:1-15 nlt

I pray for you daily that you will chose to put your life in God’s hands, no matter how scary that can sound, much less practice.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

Most parents have a set of values that they want their children to emulate; some parents are into sports for their children, others are into the arts or good grades.  And so it is with our heavenly father who is into PERFECTION for his children.  Our heavenly father created us in his image, so that we would think, look and act like him.  We were created one-by-one with a specific plan for each one of us; God is the one who “wired” us the way we are for his purposes and that we will give him the glory!  Psm 139:1;16 O LORD… you know everything about me;…Every day of my life was recorded in your book.

Many of us cringe at the idea that we are not our own person with our own original ideas; but our father, like any good parent gently but firmly (mostly; some of us need a 2×4) encourages us to follow his plan.  Most children resemble one parent more than the other if not in looks frequently in actions or deeds.  Despite appearances, no two human beings are exactly the same in all aspects; but every child of God can work at emulating the heavenly father.  We don’t even have to do it all by-our-self or in our own strength; we are never alone (Acts 2:25-26) and the better we get to know our heavenly parent (2Pet 1:2-8) the easier it becomes to joyfully follow his plan for us.

My daily prayer for you is that you pray to your loving heavenly father to help you to get to know him better and better every day.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

Joy because

–even when all the “doors” to my heart’s desire appear to be closed, I choose to be joyful.  

–despite the fact that all those who love me think my ideas lack merit (where’d you get that crack pot idea) and I feel totally alone still I choose to be joyful..

–I know I’m never alone, the Lord is always just outside my consciousness…I choose to be joyful.

–LORD, you know everything about me.  You know my thoughts, you know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD.  You go before me and follow me.  I can never escape from your Spirit!  I can never get away from your presence! (psm 139)   So I choose to be joyful.

I pray for you daily to KNOW that the Lord loves you in a measure beyond your wildest dreams.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

Back to what to do about of closed doors of opportunity… you wait!

If you keep trying to open “closed doors” expecting a different result and if you are not willing to wait you won’t be able to move forward nor recognize the real “door of opportunity.

People may be right in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their heart.  No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the LORD.  The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD. (from Prov. 21nlt)

I’m praying for you daily.

Luv Ya!